I was a teenager when I first read the first book, and I found it to be ridiculously bland. It seemed like a second rate copy of Sword of Shannara, which itself was a poor man's version of Lord of the Rings (Granted, Terry Brooks was quite creative in his other novels. But that is a different discussion). Because of these resemblances, I had a difficult time getting into the book. It seemed fairly obvious to me that the author was simply following an accepted formula in order to make money. I didn't hate the book or the story - the formula works for a reason - but I wasn't what you would call a wotmaniac.
I pretty much had the same impression as you when it came to the story and characters. The plot was a resounding 'meh' to me. It wasn't bad, but it definitely didn't scream 'bestseller' to me.
I had almost the same opinion about the characters. I sort-or-enjoyed Rand, but felt that he wasn't really fleshed out. I didn't like Mat, largely because he seemed the traitor type. I actually enjoyed Perrin's story quite a bit, and his bit about the connection with the wolves. I didn't like Egwene, because she seemed selfish. I didn't like Nyneave, because it was annoying to read her dialogue. I remember reading about Lan and thinking "Jesus, he might has well as named him Aragorn". On the whole, I enjoyed the characters, but didn't really grow attached to any of them.
I pretty much had the same impression as you when it came to the story and characters. The plot was a resounding 'meh' to me. It wasn't bad, but it definitely didn't scream 'bestseller' to me.
I had almost the same opinion about the characters. I sort-or-enjoyed Rand, but felt that he wasn't really fleshed out. I didn't like Mat, largely because he seemed the traitor type. I actually enjoyed Perrin's story quite a bit, and his bit about the connection with the wolves. I didn't like Egwene, because she seemed selfish. I didn't like Nyneave, because it was annoying to read her dialogue. I remember reading about Lan and thinking "Jesus, he might has well as named him Aragorn". On the whole, I enjoyed the characters, but didn't really grow attached to any of them.
Good points about the characters. I didn't state them quite like you did, but I do agree with your assessment of how they appear in this novel.
Illusions fall like the husk of a fruit, one after another, and the fruit is experience. - Narrator, Sylvie
Je suis méchant.
Je suis méchant.
Re-reading WoT Ten Years Later
16/04/2010 06:07:40 AM
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The Eye of the World (1997-2000, 2010 reads)
16/04/2010 06:08:54 AM
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Re: The Eye of the World (1997-2000, 2010 reads)
16/04/2010 06:29:53 PM
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I think you misrepresent me
16/04/2010 11:15:34 PM
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Re: I think you misrepresent me
17/04/2010 02:56:53 PM
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MA in History? Is there a more useless degree?
16/04/2010 09:56:36 PM
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Yes, whatever degree you have/are studying for
16/04/2010 11:12:55 PM
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Interestingly, I disliked EotW because of its 'youth appeal'
17/04/2010 12:33:55 AM
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Funny how takes can change, huh?
17/04/2010 12:55:05 AM
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Aww...
16/04/2010 07:58:27 PM
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That's next month or June
16/04/2010 11:12:02 PM
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Be sure to send me a noteboard then .
17/04/2010 03:45:46 AM
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Oh, I'd post it at this site as well, perhaps
17/04/2010 03:51:19 AM
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Yeah, but I only lurk in the OF when I'm interested in getting new books...
17/04/2010 04:00:14 AM
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The more posts from this larry guy I read, the more I think.........
18/04/2010 08:56:34 AM
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Interesting metatextual analysis there
18/04/2010 09:47:43 AM
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Nice, but in the future...
18/04/2010 04:04:07 PM
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I know...
18/04/2010 08:11:18 PM
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Re: The more posts from this larry guy I read, the more I think.........
18/04/2010 10:26:12 AM
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The Great Hunt (1997-2000, 2010 reads)
19/04/2010 09:22:40 AM
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It's interesting you thought this about The Great Hunt.
19/04/2010 07:06:57 PM
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Yeah, I almost gave up this series after The Eye of the World too. *NM*
19/04/2010 08:38:25 PM
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Winter's Heart (2000 initial read; 2010 re-read)
07/05/2010 01:35:13 PM
- 813 Views
Re: Winter's Heart (2000 initial read; 2010 re-read)
08/05/2010 09:43:31 AM
- 925 Views